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WASHINGTON, DC 20510
July 20, 2010
The Iionorable Julius Genachowski
Chairman
Federal Communications Commission
445 12" Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20554
Dear Chairman Genachowski,
We write in regards to the ongoing litigation in the U.S. Court ofAppeals for the Third
Circuit on the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) 2003 and 2007 media ownership
rules. We recognize that the FCC is currently conducting its quadrennial review of media
ownership rules and that legal certainty with respect 10 the status ofrules promulgated under
prior Chairmen is important as the Commission moves forward in its process. We want to take
this opportunity to remind you ofthe Senate's interest in public interest limits for media
ownership and that the current Commission is under no obligation to follow the footsteps of its
predecessors.
The last two FCC attempts to weaken the media ownership rules were met with
considerable Congressional opposition. We were greatly concerned about the media ownership
rules that the FCC issued on June 2, 2003 and the resulting consolidation they would have
allowed. On September 16,2003 the Senate passed a bipartisan resolution ofdisapproval that
rejected those rules. The Third Circuit Coun of Appeals shared many ofour concerns and the
FCC was forced to revisit some ofthose rules, including the rule on the common ownership ofa
daily newspaper and television station in the same media market.
In 2007, the FCC Chainnan pushed through a rule that presumed that in large media
markets, a newspaper and broadcast combination was in the public interest. The Senate
disagreed that any greater media cross-ownership should be presumed to be in the public
interest. Despite our calls for a deliberative and transparent process, the public was given only
28 days to comment on this major rule change. The Senate passed a bipartisan resolution of
disapproval ofthese rules on May 15,2008.
The strength of our democracy depends on a citizenry infonncd by local and diverse
voices in our media. While Americans increasingly seek out news online, local newspapers and
broadcast stations continue to be the dominant source ofnews and information. As you consider
future action, we urge you not to forget the Senate's interest in maintaining the public interest
goals of localism, diversity, and competition in our media.
Sincerely,
1174